JP3768616B2 - Equipment having line-of-sight detection means - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to relates to a device having a sight line detecting device for detecting a user's line of sight, with the ability to operate a predetermined operation based on particular user of the line-of-sight data equipment.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in this type of gaze detection device, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,145, the gaze position of the user in the finder is detected in time series, and a predetermined index or more is detected for a specific index. Some detected activation of the corresponding function when the gaze stoppage was detected.
[0003]
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-50349, the screen is divided into a plurality of areas, and indicators corresponding to various types of information are displayed as symbols or texts on each of the areas. It is disclosed to activate a function corresponding to detection of a stop. The functions corresponding to so-called indicators correspond one-on-one.
[0004]
In recent years, cameras that can switch the shooting screen size using line-of-sight input have been proposed, and the liquid crystal display unit is driven according to the size of each screen by line-of-sight input to the index usually placed on the liquid crystal display unit inside the viewfinder. Control and mask unnecessary parts on the screen to fit each screen size.
[0005]
As such a screen size, for example, in a camera capable of switching three types of screen sizes of C / H / P, a 15.6 mm × 22.3 mm screen size called C size (Classic size) and an H size ( Three screen sizes of 15.6 mm × 27.4 mm called “High definition size” and 9.6 mm × 27.4 mm called “P size” (Panarama size) can be switched.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional example, since the line-of-sight position is detected in time series, it is detected that the line-of-sight data has not changed for a predetermined time or longer with respect to the index in the finder, and a corresponding predetermined operation is performed. Furthermore, there is a problem that when the user keeps gazing at the index, the corresponding predetermined operation is performed again.
[0007]
For example, in the case where the user switches the screen size of C / H / P, for example, the screen size display on the liquid crystal display unit is performed by the line of sight input to the index arranged on the liquid crystal display unit inside the finder by the line of sight input. In the case of switching the screen size, if the user looks at the index even after the screen size display is switched, it is determined that the line-of-sight input is performed again, and the screen size display is switched to the next screen size.
[0008]
For this reason, if the user continues to look at the index, the screen size display is switched every time the line-of-sight detection is performed for each time series, so that the user cannot switch to the screen size display intended by the user.
[0009]
Similarly, when setting or canceling the shooting mode or shooting condition of the camera, there is a problem that the setting and cancellation are continuously switched and the setting intended by the user is not switched.
[0010]
Further, when the user's line of sight flickers near the index, there is a problem that activation of the corresponding function is continuously performed. In other words, when switching the screen size display on the liquid crystal display by gaze input to the index placed on the liquid crystal display inside the viewfinder, if the user's gaze flickers around the index, the screen size is detected each time the gaze is detected. Since the display is switched, there is a problem that the display can be switched to a screen size display that is not intended by the user.
[0011]
The purpose of the invention according to the present application is to limit the acceptance of information set by detecting the position of the line of sight due to the movement of the line of sight of the user, etc., so that the state set by the line of sight is not inadvertently changed Is to provide.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Apparatus having a sight line detecting means of the present invention comprises a sight line detecting means for sequentially detecting the visual line information of the user, and determines the attention judgment unit that determines whether the user based on the viewing information is viewing a particular index and operation means for performing a predetermined operation based on the determination information from the attention judgment unit, after the predetermined operation has been performed, the operation inhibiting means for inhibiting the execution of said predetermined operation to said sight line information changes It is characterized by having. Here, the operation prohibiting unit prohibits execution of the predetermined operation until the gaze determining unit determines that the user is looking at something other than the specific index, or until the gaze information cannot be detected by the gaze detecting unit. can do.
[0016]
In the above configuration, the predetermined operation, a switching operation of the different operating states of such shooting mode and shooting conditions.
[0017]
Further, in the above configuration, the predetermined operation, a switching operation of the setting and cancellation of different operating states of such shooting mode and shooting conditions.
[0018]
In the configuration described above, it is determined that the line-of-sight information matches the index, and the predetermined operation is prohibited unless the line-of-sight information changes after the predetermined operation is performed. After accepting the H / P switching index and switching the screen size display, the screen size display intended by the user is prevented by not switching the screen size while the user continues to look at the index. Can be easily switched to.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a first embodiment in which an optical apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a camera.
[0021]
In FIG. 1, 1-1 is a system controller as a control means for performing sequence control and calculation, 1-2 is a RAM for storing data, 1-3 is a ROM for storing programs and data, and 1-4 is a light amount of a subject. 1-5 is a distance measuring circuit for measuring the distance to the subject, 1-6 is a shutter driver for exposing the film, and 1-7 is a strobe circuit.
[0022]
1-8 is a line-of-sight detection device for detecting the user's line of sight, 1-9 is a driving circuit for the in-finder liquid crystal display unit 1-10 , and this in-finder liquid crystal display unit 1-10 is a transmission type finder. It is installed within the field of view. Reference numeral 1-11 denotes an index for performing C / H / P shooting screen size switching by line-of-sight input, and 1-12 denotes a release switch for instructing exposure to film.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows C / H / P screen sizes. A screen size 2-1 in FIG. 2A represents a C size (Classic). Similarly, the screen size 2-2 in FIG. 2B represents the H size (High definition), and the screen size 2-3 in FIG. 2C represents the P size (Panorama).
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows the state of the finder, and reference numeral 3-1 denotes a liquid crystal display unit arranged inside the finder, which is a normal H-size screen. The liquid crystal display unit is indicated by broken lines in the vertical and horizontal directions. The screen display of C size and P size is performed by masking up to. 3-2 represents an index for switching the screen size of C / H / P by line-of-sight input.
[0025]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which the liquid crystal display unit inside the finder is masked. A screen 4-1 in FIG. 4A is a C size screen, which is displayed by masking both sides of the H size. . A screen 4-2 in FIG. 4B is a P size screen, which is displayed by masking the top and bottom of the H size.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the system controller 1-1. Hereinafter, the operation of the system controller 1-1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the following description, only the operation in the case where C / H / P switching is performed by line-of-sight input will be described.
[0027]
When the program for this operation is started, a line-of-sight detection operation is performed (5-1), and the user's line of sight is detected.
[0028]
(5-2) proceeds to (5-3) when the gaze detection determination performed in (5-1) is performed and the gaze detection is successful, and the gaze detection is not successful. Proceed to (5-4).
[0029]
In (5-3), in response to the determination of the gaze detection success in (5-2), the type of gaze detection is determined. Here, it is determined whether or not the line-of-sight detection of the CHP switching index 1-11 for switching the photographing size display in the finder is successful. If successful, the process proceeds to (5-5), and if not successful, the process proceeds to (5-4).
[0030]
In (5-4), when the line-of-sight detection is not successful in (5-2), or in the detection of the line-of-sight in (5-3), a determination is made that the CHP is not switched, and imaging by line-of-sight detection is performed. The holding of the flag EYE_LOCK for holding the screen size display switching operation is cleared (EYE_LOCK = 0). Therefore, CHP switching by line-of-sight detection is accepted.
[0031]
In (5-5), in response to the detection of the line of sight for CHP switching in (5-3), the state of the flag EYE_LOCK is determined. If the flag EYE_LOCK is not held (EYE_LOCK = 0), Proceed to 5-6), and if held, end the flow.
[0032]
In (5-6), the EYE_LOCK flag is held (EYE_LOCK = 1) in response to the determination of CHP switching by line-of-sight detection in the state where the EYE_LOCK flag is not held in (5-5).
[0033]
In (5-7), it is determined whether or not the shooting size is currently displayed in C size on the liquid crystal display unit in the viewfinder. If the C size is displayed, the process proceeds to (5-8). If the C size is not displayed, the process proceeds to (5-9).
[0034]
In (5-8), since there is an instruction to switch the screen size, the CHP display is switched to the H size display in order to switch to the next screen size if the C size is currently displayed in (5-7).
[0035]
In (5-9), it is determined whether or not the current screen size is H size in response to not being C size in (5-7). If the H size is displayed, the process proceeds to (5-10). If the H size is not displayed, the process proceeds to (5-11).
[0036]
In (5-10), CHP display is switched to P size display in response to the current display of H size in (5-9).
[0037]
In (5-11), CHP display is switched to C display in response to not being currently C display in (5-7) and not being currently H display in (5-9).
[0038]
In this embodiment, prior to the screen size switching operation, the EY_LOCK flag is held (EYE_LOCK = 1), and the screen size cannot be switched until EYE_LOCK = 0. . Therefore, if the index 1-11 is continuously viewed, the step (5-2) → step (5-3) → step (5-5) → return step is repeated, and the screen size is continuously switched. There is no change.
[0039]
In addition, when the eyes cannot be detected by looking away from the viewfinder, or when the CHP is not switched because the eyes are temporarily removed from the index 1-11, EYE_LOCK = 0, and the CHP is newly switched. Is possible.
[0040]
(Second Embodiment)
6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0041]
In the second embodiment, only the operation of the sequence controller 1-1 is changed with respect to the first embodiment. Therefore, only the operation of the sequence controller 1-1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0042]
FIG. 7 shows a change state of the indicator 1-11 for switching the photographing screen size C / H / P by the line-of-sight input . In the figure, 7-1 shows the state where the indicator is lit, 7-2 shows the state where the indicator flashes. The blinking state 7-2 represents a state of waiting for the line-of-sight input. The blinking for the predetermined time set from the first line-of-sight input represents acceptance of the first line-of-sight input and at the same time the second line of sight. Indicates the waiting state for input. 7-3 is a state where the index is lit, shows a state that received a second time visual axis input.
[0043]
Here, only the operation when the C / H / P switching is performed by line-of-sight input will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0044]
When the program for this operation is started, a line-of-sight detection operation is performed (6-1), and the user's line of sight is detected.
[0045]
In (6-2), a determination is made of made gaze detected by the (6-1), if the visual axis detection is successful proceeds to (6-3), it has been successfully detected gaze If not, go to (6-7).
[0046]
In (6-3), in response to the determination of the gaze detection success in (6-2), the type of gaze detection is determined. Here, it is determined whether or not the line-of-sight detection of the CHP switching index 1-11 for switching the photographing size display in the finder is successful. If successful, the process proceeds to (6-4), and if not successful, the process proceeds to (6-7).
[0047]
In (6-4), it is determined whether or not the C / H / P switching index 1-11 is blinking. The blinking state here refers to determining the second line-of-sight input within a predetermined time after determining the C / H / P switching by the first line-of-sight input as indicated by 7-2 in FIG. It is a state between. If it is blinking, the process proceeds to (6-5), and if it is lit, the process proceeds to (6-6).
[0048]
In (6-5), the C / H / P switching indicator 1-11 is turned on. Here, it is assumed that the line-of-sight input by the C / H / P switching index 1-11 is performed again after the wait time set in (6-9) in the blinking state of the C / H / P index, and the index 1- 11 is turned on.
[0049]
In (6-6), the C / H / P switching indicator is blinked. Here, when the line of sight is detected in the lighting state of the C / H / P indicator, the indicator blinks and the process proceeds to (6-9).
[0050]
In (6-7), when the line-of-sight detection is not successful or when C / H / P switching is not selected, the C / H / P index is turned on and this flowchart is ended.
[0051]
In (6-8), it is determined whether or not the shooting size is currently displayed in C size on the liquid crystal display unit in the viewfinder. If the C size is displayed, the process proceeds to (6-10). If the C size is not displayed, the process proceeds to (6-11).
[0052]
In (6-9), when the C / H / P indicator is lit and a line-of-sight input for C / H / P switching is received, the indicator of C / H / P blinks in (6-6). After waiting for a predetermined wait time, the flowchart is terminated.
[0053]
In (6-10), the CHP display is switched to the H size display in response to the current display of the C size in (6-8).
[0054]
In (6-11), it is determined whether the current shooting size is H size in response to not being C size in (6-8). If the H size is displayed, the process proceeds to (6-12). If the H size is not displayed, the process proceeds to (6-13).
[0055]
In (6-12), the CHP display is switched to the P size display in response to the current display of the H size in (6-11).
[0056]
In (6-13), in response to the fact that the H size is not currently displayed in (6-11), the CHP display is switched to the C size display.
[0057]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the shooting screen size is changed using an index inside the finder has been described. However, it is used for changing shooting conditions and shooting modes, setting flash on / off, and zooming. Needless to say, you can.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is determined that the user is viewing a particular index, after performing the predetermined operation, until a later viewing information changes (e.g., the user other than the specific indication by the attention judgment unit Until it is determined that the user is watching, or until the gaze information cannot be detected by the gaze detection means) , because the predetermined operation is prohibited. There is an effect of preventing a predetermined operation from being performed each time the line of sight is detected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration block diagram of a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a camera.
FIG. 2 is a view showing each screen size of C / H / P of the camera of FIG. 1;
3 is a diagram showing a C / H / P switching finder of the camera of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a diagram showing a display state of a liquid crystal display unit when a C / P size is selected in the finder of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a system controller in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a system controller in the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an index change diagram according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1-1 System controller 1-2 RAM
1-3 ROM
1-4 Photometry circuit 1-5 Distance measurement circuit 1-6 Shutter drive circuit 1-7 Strobe circuit 1-8 Line-of-sight detection device 1-9 Liquid crystal display unit

Claims (4)

Gaze detection means for sequentially detecting the gaze information of the user;
And determining attention judgment unit that determines whether the user is viewing a particular index, based on the sight line information,
And operation means for performing a predetermined operation based on the determination information from the attention judgment unit,
An apparatus having line-of-sight detection means, comprising: an operation prohibiting means for prohibiting execution of the predetermined operation until the line-of-sight information changes after the predetermined operation is executed . In claim 1, the operation prohibiting means, until it is determined by the gaze determination means that the user is looking at other than the specific index, or until the gaze information can not be detected by the gaze detection means, An apparatus having line-of-sight detection means, which prohibits execution of the predetermined operation. 3. The apparatus having line-of-sight detection means according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined operation is a switching operation of different operation states such as an imaging mode and an imaging condition. 3. The apparatus having line-of-sight detection means according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined operation is a switching operation for setting and canceling different operation states such as a shooting mode and a shooting condition.

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